From Dubai to New York, from concert halls to spaces of cinema, art, and design, Emirati names shone in the sky of creativity in various fields in 2025, marking a milestone in the nation's journey of excellence. This was achieved through the bright image presented by the nation's sons and daughters, embodying the UAE's vision and its enduring bet on its women, men, and youth in leadership and creating an impactful Emirati presence that opens windows of dialogue with the world. These names and well-established local experiences meet in a single scene whose title is perseverance and innovation, raising the UAE's flag on international leading platforms and confirming that creativity is part of its identity and the features of its future.
From the Heart of New York Last June, the Dubai National Youth Orchestra brought Emirati music to one of the world's most prestigious platforms when it performed at the famous Carnegie Hall in New York, becoming the first Emirati orchestra to play at this historic stage. With more than 80 young Emirati musicians, they presented a mix of Western classical and Gulf rhythms amidst significant public interaction, supported by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. This event marked a qualitative leap in the Emirati music scene.
Emirati Cinema Globally In the field of cinema, Emirati director Naila Al Ka'idi continued to solidify her international presence with her new film "Baab", which she completed this year in partnership with Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman, based on a screenplay by Emirati Masoud Amrullah. The film, which blends psychological drama and social contemplation, was entirely produced in Dubai within a technical partnership with global company "Canon". This ambitious Emirati experience speaks the language of independent cinema with global characteristics, reflecting a shift in Emirati narrative towards a human cinematic discourse. The director stated that it "represents a prominent creative achievement in her artistic career".
A Pen That Defies the Impossible In September 2025, Emirati artist Moza Abdullah bin Zayban, who suffers from dystonia, caught the attention of participants at the "We Are Inclusion" global conference for people of determination. She transformed her physical disability into a unique source of creativity and inspiration, presenting vibrant, full-of-life paintings. Many international media outlets praised her talent, considering her story proof that creativity knows no impossibility, making her experience a model for the artistic empowerment of people of determination.
Young Creativity In a new achievement that reinforces the UAE's presence on the global creative scene, Dubai Design District (D3) announced last May that the Emirati designers' exhibition won the "Best Design Incubator" award at the 2025 Monocole Design Awards. The exhibition, a leading platform that brings together young talents and professional expertise in a scene that reflects the spirit of Emirati innovation, featured works by Emirati designers that blend sustainability and local identity, using materials and techniques inspired by the Emirati environment and traditional building methods, with a contemporary vision linked to global design concepts. This win was an international recognition of the maturity of the country's creative infrastructure and reflected Dubai's advanced status as a UNESCO Creative City and a regional hub for sustainable design that balances beauty and function.
Overcoming Challenges In May 2025, Emirati mountain climber and adventurer Saeed Al Mameri achieved a new historic feat as the first Arab to climb the third highest mountain in the world, the first Emirati to summit Mount Everest, and the first Emirati to be listed among the world's explorers by Wikipedia. He carried a message of peace, tolerance, and the flag of the UAE while climbing the highest peaks of all continents. Starting his journey in 2012 by summiting Everest, he continued for over a decade, achieving successive accomplishments in Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa, reaching a total of 136 of the world's highest peaks by 2025, making him one of the most prominent mountain climbers in the Middle East and among the first Arabs to complete the Seven Summits.
